Kale, Honeycrisp, Farmhouse Cheddar Caesar Salad

So maybe you saw the first word of this post and thought kaaallleee. Bleh. Or maybe, you saw the first word of this post and thought kale! Giddy up! I think kale, like most greens and vegetables, can either be really good or sort of just okay depending on the love you put into them. I am one of those people who really enjoys most things that were grown in the earth raw, but not everyone is like that. My husband is an example of this. He like his greens and veggies, but prefers them cooked and alongside something else because he’s is of the camp that puts soup and salad in the “not a meal but rather a side dish” category. I will never understand this as I could eat either or anytime for a meal. Anyhow, if you’re not a fan of root vegetables or particularly don’t enjoy them raw, try roasting them! This brings out their sweetness as the sugars caramelize. Not a fan of strong, bitter greens? Try them in soups or with a creamy dressing with nutty cheese. That’s what I did with the last batch of our tuscan kale we grew in the garden this autumn.

Knowing there was going to be snow on the way I went out and snipped what was left of our hearty greens and decided to make salads for lunch everyday that week. Now usually around lunchtime I’ll make the same thing for everyone to enjoy around the table in our kitchen, but this week in particular I made the kids something different because I really didn’t think they’d be into my kale salad as a meal. I was wrong. They really liked this one and even starting requesting it alongside our roasts. Apples in salad, mommy?! You betcha. This recipe could not be easier to prepare once your dressing is made for the week because it takes only three ingredients to make, plus your dressing. If you source good ingredients you don’t need a lot of them and this recipe is a perfect example of simple, wholesome food. And you may be thinking it’s a bit strange to pair a rather traditional homemade Caesar dressing with ingredients like cheddar and apples, but trust me it’s really, really good.

Kale, Apple, Cheddar Caesar Salad Ingredients

One bunch of tuscan kale chopped into bite size pieces

Your favorite farmhouse cheddar cheese chopped into little chunks. It seems like everyone everywhere is making a local variety so I’d go that route. Stay away from bland cheddars precut from the store. They will not give you the nuttiness you are looking for. You’ll want one that is almost crumbly in texture and that is white.

One honeycrisp apple sliced into slivers with the skin on.

Caesar dressing (see below)

Cesar Dressing Ingredients

Two small garlic cloves minced

2 tablespoonsfreshly squeezed lemon juice

1 cup mayonnaise or vegenaise

1 teaspoonanchovy paste or two small anchovies in olive oil

2 teaspoonsDijon mustard

1 teaspoonWorcestershire sauce

1/2 cupfreshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano

1/4 teaspoon sea salt

1/4 teaspoonfreshly ground black pepper

To prepare, blend all ingredients until smooth. Dressing your salad with the homemade Caesar as liberally as you’d like and store the rest in a tightly sealed mason jar. Keeps for one week, but like my homemade ranch, you’ll use it right up I’m sure.

What other ingredients are you putting on your salads this season? Do you find that your greens take on new notes as it gets colder outside? Mine sure do. I have been wanting to make a savory winter bowl with quinoa as a base as something easy to prepare for our lunches. I also really love apple cider vinegar dressings warmed up on greens with bacon right now. Yum! My mom used to make those for family gatherings, and every time we have one for supper I am taken back to when I was little. Did you grow up with those? I think they are tied to German roots. On another note, I hope you’re settling in and enjoying the turn of the seasons. We’ve been basking in it over here and I can tell you, there’s nothing more comforting than hunkering down and hibernating at home.

We eat hearty salads all week long. My favorite (only) way to dress them is with olive oil and salt. Maybe some balsamic. We make versions of your recipe above but usually with hard boiled eggs and avocado. Other favorites include beets, goat cheese, walnuts and caramelized onions. Or sweet potato, quinoa, and Lima bean 🙂 I basically just copy Whole Foods premade salads.ReplyCancel

Also, where did you get your black and white speckled bowl?!ReplyCancel

admin

Lauryssa, thank you! They were passed down from family. x AmandaReplyCancel

Erin

Amanda – I put this on my list when you posted it and finally took the plunge last night. I absolutely loved it! I have an abundance of kale in my garden and I really despise the stuff but I try to plant one thing a year that I don’t love and find recipes to make me start enjoying it – this is my recipe for kale! I’m having it for lunch again today. Thanks so much for posting this!ReplyCancel

admin

Erin, glad you loved it! I think I am going to grab the ingredients to make it this week too! x AmandaReplyCancel